As he went, he was pursued and stung by the brutally unrefined taunts of Hugh John.
"Yes, go on to Prissy; I think she has a spare doll. Go and play at 'house'! It's all you're good for!"
Thus encouraged by their general, the rest of the company—that is, Cissy and Sir Toady Lion, joined in singing a certain stirring and irritating refrain popular among the youth of Bordershire.
"Lassie-boy, lassie-boy, fie for shame!
Coward's your nature, and Jennie's your name!"
Sammy Carter stood poised for flight with his eyes blazing with anger.
"You think a lot of your old tumble-down castle; but the town boys have got it in spite of you; and what's more, they've a flag flying on it with 'Down with Smith!' on it. I saw it. Hooray for the town boys!"
And with this Parthian arrow he disappeared at full speed down the avenue.
For a moment Hugh John was paralysed. He tried to pooh-pooh the matter, but he could not but admit that it might very well be true; so he instantly despatched Toady Lion for Prissy, who, as we know, was the fleetest runner of them all. Upon her reporting for duty, the General sent her to bring back word if the state of affairs was as reported.
It was. A large red flag was flying, with the inscription in white upon it, "Down with Smith!" while above the inscription there was what looked like a rude attempt at a death's head and crossbones. Hugh John knew this ensign in a moment. Once upon a time, in his wild youth, he had served under it as a pirate on the high seas; but of this he now uttered no word.